It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups hinder former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in dog sorrow, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow surrounding green trees as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split might seem more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
