It is a common warning in certain circles that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups hinder ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation would feel more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
