It is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups hinder ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
