This is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in pet despair, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation could have been more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
