This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
