This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations prevent individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation works effectively is rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think flurries surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
