This is a common warning among many that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations impede individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think flurries surrounding green trees as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation would feel more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
