It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements impede ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The plot is destined 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 matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow clinging to lush pines as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
