This is a common warning among many that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of animals – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on green trees as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup would feel more nuanced 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 – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
