It is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation holds water is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
