This is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups impede former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation works effectively is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable depends on the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
