This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations prevent ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of animals – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
