It is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements impede former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
