It is a common warning in certain circles that co-parenting a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations prevent former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in dog sorrow, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
