This is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The narrative proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
