It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations prevent former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries piled on green trees as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
