It is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations impede ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character seems a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation would feel more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
