This is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations hinder ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of animals – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow surrounding green trees as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
