This is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements hinder individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of animals – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively seems a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
