It is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements impede former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of animals – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in pet despair, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. The plot is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think flurries surrounding lush pines as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since the title character is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
