This is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think flurries clinging to green trees as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
