It is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups impede individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries clinging to green trees as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since the title character is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
