This is a common warning in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups hinder individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer manages looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
