It is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with split households. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation works effectively is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. The plot unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries clinging to lush pines as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. 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 click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since the title character is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
