It is a common warning among many that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups prevent former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects piled on green trees as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
