It is a common warning among many that co-parenting a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, 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 dogs – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. The plot unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think fake snow clinging to lush pines as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer manages looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the dog is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
