It is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups prevent ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. The plot unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since the title character is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split could have been more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
