This is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups hinder individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries surrounding lush pines as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
