It is a common warning in certain circles that co-parenting a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in pet despair, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
