It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The plot proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries piled on lush pines as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for pet content. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
