It is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think fake snow surrounding lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
