It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups prevent individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively is rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries surrounding lush pines as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. 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 stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
