This is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements impede individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for pet content. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself manages looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
