This is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations impede former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for pet content. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
