This is a common warning in certain circles that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations prevent ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. The plot is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries clinging to lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since Merv is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
