This is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements prevent individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of animals – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in pet despair, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: 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, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow clinging to green trees as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split could have been more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
