It is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations prevent former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The plot unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow piled on lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since the title character is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation might seem more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
