This is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, 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 – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow piled on verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
