It is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations impede former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow surrounding lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
