This is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements hinder individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries piled on lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the dog is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
