This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation works effectively is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think fake snow surrounding lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
