This is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups impede individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation holds water is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. The plot is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character seems a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
