It is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements prevent ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow clinging to lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe 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. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
