It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a pet following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
