It is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think flurries surrounding lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character seems a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
