This is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations prevent former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The plot unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think fake snow piled on verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since Merv is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
