It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a dog following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
