It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on green trees as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character seems a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
