This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries surrounding green trees as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
