It is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with split households. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot proves to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow surrounding green trees as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
