It is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups impede ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity 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 is convincing at looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
