It is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations impede former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. The plot unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries piled on lush pines as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable depends on the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace 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 ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for the split would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
