This is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations prevent former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable is rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The plot proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
