It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in pet despair, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation would feel more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
