This is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups impede individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
