It is a common warning in certain circles that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements prevent ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
