It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups hinder ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
