This is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups hinder former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since the dog is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
