It is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a dog following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations hinder individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split could have been more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
