This is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups impede individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict holds water is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by 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 clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow piled on lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split could have been more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
