What we flagged
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Our take
When Anna and Russ split, their depressed dog Merv becomes the awkward shared project that pulls them back together. The US PG jokes hit dog depression, chocolate danger, a will-passport-and-gun packing gag, beer dates, funeral song lyrics, and dating-app lover names. It is warm, pet-first comedy. ClearAge fits tweens and up.
Uplifting themes
Making the dog the priority pushes two hurt exes to work together again. The film treats a pet's mood like real family business. Florida getaway jokes sit on top of quieter breakup healing Clumsy and awkward as they are with each other, Anna and Russ still show up for Merv. Walking away would be easier. Looking after the dog is the grown-up call they both finally make
Story (may spoil tone)
When their beloved dog Merv loses his spark after their split, Anna and Russ are forced into the world's most awkward co-parenting arrangement. Hoping to shake Merv out of his funk, Russ takes him to Florida for a much-needed getaway-only for Anna to show up unexpectedly. As Merv slowly gets his groove back, turns out fixing their dog's broken heart may lead to a few sparks of their own.
Details
Violence Chocolate panic for the dog is played for laughs, and so is a packing l…
Chocolate panic for the dog is played for laughs, and so is a packing list that casually names a will, a passport, and a gun. Harmless falls pop up, plus a brief heart scare for an older man. Actual fighting never enters the movie
Language Ordinary frustration brings crap, oh my God, and sucks, and someone dro…
Ordinary frustration brings crap, oh my God, and sucks, and someone drops a mild s-word while talking about sorting their life out. That is about the ceiling. Strong swearing never floods the dialogue
Sex / nudity Flirting and kissing between Anna and Russ share space with dating-app…
Flirting and kissing between Anna and Russ share space with dating-app handles like Mr Lover Lover as running jokes. A bad Hinge date lands, and schoolkids dig into a teacher's private life. Sex itself stays off screen
Drugs / alcohol Post-breakup outings keep circling back to beers, and adults drink acro…
Post-breakup outings keep circling back to beers, and adults drink across several of those nights. A few of them clearly go too far. Hard drugs never appear
Eating disorders / body image We did not see eating in this one
We did not see eating in this one
Mental health A vet blames Merv's depression on Anna and Russ splitting up, and that…
A vet blames Merv's depression on Anna and Russ splitting up, and that idea basically runs the plot. The humans talk about their own depression plenty. Warm comedy still frames everything; clinical treatment talk never takes over
Gambling We did not see gambling in this one
We did not see gambling in this one
Flashing lights We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
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Talk after watching
- Merv reacts to the divorce like a family member. How do pets feel household stress?
- Anna and Russ must cooperate despite hurt feelings. What makes co-parenting work?
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Merv
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