This is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups hinder individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow piled on verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
