It is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
