This is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements prevent former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for the split could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
