This is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in pet despair, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with split households. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think fake snow surrounding lush pines as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
