It is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients come together 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 seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split could have been more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
