This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations prevent ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
