This is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation holds water seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer manages acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
