This is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation works effectively seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries surrounding lush pines as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.