This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations hinder ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think flurries clinging to green trees as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (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.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the title character is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
