This is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in pet despair, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The plot proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
