It is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements prevent ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of animals – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think flurries clinging to green trees as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
