It is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups hinder individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think fake snow clinging to green trees as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks 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 vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
