This is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements prevent ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries clinging to green trees as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
