It is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. 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 holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for the split could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
