This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a pet following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations hinder individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think flurries piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
