This is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a dog post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow piled on lush pines as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
