This is a common warning in certain circles that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations hinder individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
