This is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations impede ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow surrounding green trees as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
