It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
