This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups prevent ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries surrounding lush pines as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
