It is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in pet despair, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
