This is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups impede ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict holds water is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
