This is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The plot proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on green trees as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since the dog is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
