It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a dog following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in pet despair, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation holds water seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think fake snow piled on lush pines as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since the dog is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
