This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides 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. The character can feel a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
