This is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups impede ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
