This is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations impede individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. The narrative proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
