This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups impede former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of animals – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries piled on lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
