It is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a dog post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations impede former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of animals – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
