This is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations hinder former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
