This is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups impede individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict holds water is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. The plot proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation would feel more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
