It is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations impede former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think flurries surrounding lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
