It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of animals – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think flurries piled on verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since Merv is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
