This is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements impede ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by Jessica 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. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the title character is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
