This is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations prevent individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think flurries surrounding green trees as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for dog videos. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation could have been more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
