It is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups impede individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
