This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in pet despair, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split would feel more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
