It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation works effectively remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow surrounding lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for dog videos. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
