This is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations prevent former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think fake snow piled on lush pines as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
