It is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups prevent former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take 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 – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow piled on green trees as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
