It is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations prevent ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for dog videos. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
