It is a common warning among many that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of animals – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think flurries surrounding lush pines as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
