This is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations hinder ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation works effectively remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split could have been more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
