This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements impede former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow surrounding green trees as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
