This is a common warning among many that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations impede former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think flurries surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
If these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – but I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
