It is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a pet post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations prevent individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. The plot unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on green trees as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film 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 this December.
