This is a common warning in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups prevent ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow piled on verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since the title character is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
