It is a common warning among many that co-parenting a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations hinder individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in pet despair, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think flurries surrounding lush pines as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable depends on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
