This is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations prevent individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. The plot is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries piled on lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
