It is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a dog following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup holds water remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split could have been more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
