It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups impede individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation holds water remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the title character is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
