This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
