This is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations prevent ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of animals – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
