It is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations impede individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.