This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups prevent individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup holds water remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the dog is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation could have been more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
