It is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. The plot proves to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries clinging to green trees as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character seems a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
