It is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a dog following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries piled on green trees as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character seems a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the dog is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
