This is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements hinder individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries piled on green trees as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since Merv is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation might seem more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
