This is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups impede individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow surrounding lush pines as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
