This is a common warning among many that co-parenting a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict holds water remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
