It is a common warning among many that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for the split might seem more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
