It is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations hinder former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow surrounding lush pines as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
