It is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. The plot proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow piled on lush pines as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
