It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups hinder ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of animals – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow surrounding green trees as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
