This is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations prevent former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries piled on lush pines as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
