It is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations hinder ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict holds water remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think flurries clinging to lush pines as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation would feel more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
