It is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups hinder ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
