It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups hinder former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation holds water seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. 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 (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think fake snow surrounding green trees as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the title character is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split would feel more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
