This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations impede individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split could have been more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
