It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a pet following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow surrounding green trees as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
