This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in pet despair, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think flurries surrounding green trees as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
