This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a dog post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements prevent ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
