It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
