This is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a dog post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations hinder former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect 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 can feel a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
