This is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in pet despair, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
