It is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements hinder ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of animals – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The plot proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think flurries surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation could have been more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
