It is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups impede individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively seems a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries clinging to lush pines as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer manages acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
