This is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a pet following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements hinder former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of animals – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. The plot proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
