It is a common warning among many that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups prevent ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict holds water remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries clinging to lush pines as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since the dog is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
