It is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a dog following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on green trees as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
