This is a common warning among many that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups impede former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think flurries clinging to green trees as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
