It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements prevent former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. The plot proves to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries piled on lush pines as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
