It is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups hinder ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in pet despair, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation works effectively remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for dog videos. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character seems a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split would feel more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
