It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a pet post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict holds water is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries piled on green trees as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
