This is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
