This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a pet following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations hinder ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
