It is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively is rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow surrounding green trees as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
