It is a common warning in certain circles that co-parenting a pet following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations hinder ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ (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. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split might seem more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
