This is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups hinder ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
