This is a common warning among many that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think flurries surrounding green trees as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation might seem more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
