It is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think flurries surrounding green trees as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
