This is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups prevent former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in pet despair, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
