It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations hinder former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
