It is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups impede ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation holds water is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think fake snow surrounding lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
