This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries clinging to green trees as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
