It is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations impede former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with split households. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
