This is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup holds water seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (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 luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think fake snow clinging to lush pines as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
