It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think flurries clinging to green trees as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for dog videos. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
