It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements hinder former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
