This is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations impede ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since the dog is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split might seem more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
