It is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries piled on green trees as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer manages looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
