This is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of animals – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think fake snow piled on green trees as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for pet content. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
