It is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups impede individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow piled on lush pines as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation would feel more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
