It is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations impede individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think fake snow clinging to lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer manages acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split would feel more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
