It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups impede former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think fake snow clinging to lush pines as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split might seem more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
