This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
