It is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations impede individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The plot proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace 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. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character seems a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for the split would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
