This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow clinging to green trees as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split might seem more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.