It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a dog post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations impede individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think flurries surrounding lush pines as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer manages looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since the dog is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
