It is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations impede former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
