This is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think flurries surrounding green trees as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
