This is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think flurries piled on green trees as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – but I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
