This is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups impede individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with split households. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup holds water is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think fake snow surrounding lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
