This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations impede former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in pet despair, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – serve 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 – exemplified by flurries piled on lush pines as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
