It is a common warning among many that co-parenting a pet following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup holds water seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
