This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations prevent former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in pet despair, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with split households. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation holds water seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
