This is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups impede individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with split households. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow clinging to lush pines as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
