It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. 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 likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.