It is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
