This is a common warning in certain circles that co-parenting a dog following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations hinder ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in pet despair, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
