This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a dog following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups hinder ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in pet despair, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
