It is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups hinder ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries surrounding green trees as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
