This is a common warning in certain circles that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations impede former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation holds water remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow clinging to green trees as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
