This is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups impede individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup holds water is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow clinging to green trees as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
