It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations impede ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in pet despair, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. The plot is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think fake snow piled on verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
