This is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The plot proves to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness 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 – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
