This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. The narrative proves to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the dog is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
