It is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The plot unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched 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 – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since the title character is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
