This is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups impede former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think fake snow surrounding green trees as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, 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 unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
