This is a common warning in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of animals – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable is rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries surrounding green trees as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
