This is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements hinder ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
