It is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a dog following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups hinder ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of animals – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. The plot unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
