It is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements hinder individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively is rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow clinging to lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
