This is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups prevent individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of animals – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think flurries piled on green trees as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite 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 scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since Merv is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
