This is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a dog post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on green trees as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character seems a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
