It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a dog following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations prevent former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on green trees as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable depends on the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
