This is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in pet despair, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water is rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think fake snow surrounding green trees as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation could have been more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
