It is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations hinder ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of animals – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries piled on lush pines as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for pet content. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
