This is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a pet post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations hinder individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in pet despair, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
