This is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups impede individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think fake snow piled on green trees as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer manages acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
