It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations hinder former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of animals – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
