This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a pet following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup holds water seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for the split might seem more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
