It is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a dog post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations hinder former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
