This is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a dog following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups hinder ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
