It is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself manages acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split could have been more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
