It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow piled on lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
