It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation works effectively seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow piled on green trees as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since the title character is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
