This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements prevent individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of animals – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation holds water seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for pet content. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
