This is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements impede former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water seems a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
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 achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
