It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a dog following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups hinder ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. 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 substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself manages looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for the split might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
