It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups prevent ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries surrounding lush pines as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
