This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a dog following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements hinder individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable is rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
