This is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations impede individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation holds water is rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries surrounding lush pines as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
