It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements impede individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation could have been more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
