This is a common warning in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of animals – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water seems a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think flurries piled on verdant foliage 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 actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
