This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in pet despair, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on green trees as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
