It is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a dog following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups impede ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. The plot proves to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, 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 shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer manages acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
