This is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements impede ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
