This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements prevent individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of animals – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for dog videos. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself manages looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
