It is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations impede former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries piled on green trees as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer manages acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
