This is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements impede former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable is rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The plot proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries piled on green trees as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable depends on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
