It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a dog following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups prevent individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – are crafted 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 – think obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since Merv is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
