This is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a pet following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
