It is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements impede former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
