It is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements prevent individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
