This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations impede individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think flurries surrounding green trees as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for pet content. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since the title character is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
