It is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements hinder individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow piled on lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation would feel more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
