This is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups hinder individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries clinging to green trees as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for dog videos. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
