It is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries clinging to lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
