It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements impede individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
