This is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations impede individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge 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 surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow surrounding lush pines as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character seems a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
