It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations impede former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of animals – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since Merv is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
