It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups prevent former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries piled on lush pines as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. 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 likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation might seem more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
