This is a common warning among many that co-parenting a dog post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think fake snow piled on lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer manages acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
