This is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements hinder individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since the title character is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
