This is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups hinder former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
