This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups prevent individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow clinging to lush pines as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for dog videos. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
