This is a common warning among many that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations impede former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in pet despair, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries piled on verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive 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 canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
