It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow surrounding lush pines as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
