It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations impede ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The narrative proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split would feel more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
