This is a common warning in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations impede individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
