It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water is rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
