It is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a pet following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations hinder individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think fake snow clinging to green trees as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a touch too detached, notably 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 remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split could have been more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.