It is a common warning in certain circles that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups impede ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries piled on lush pines as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
