This is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in pet despair, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow surrounding lush pines as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
