This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations impede individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think fake snow surrounding green trees as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation might seem more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
