It is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water is rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries piled on lush pines as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
