It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in pet despair, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
