This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of animals – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in pet despair, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation holds water is rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries surrounding lush pines as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
