This is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements prevent former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries piled on lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for pet content. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
