This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements impede former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively seems a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for the split could have been more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
