This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations prevent individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since Merv is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
