It is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation works effectively is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow piled on green trees as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
