It is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for dog videos. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself manages acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
