It is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations prevent individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. The narrative proves to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself manages acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
