This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups impede ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries clinging to lush pines as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by 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, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
