It is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations impede individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass 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 Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think flurries piled on green trees as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
