This is a common warning in certain circles that co-parenting a pet following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups prevent former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The narrative proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries piled on green trees as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
