This is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups hinder ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation works effectively seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow surrounding green trees as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
