It is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups hinder ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
