This is a common warning in certain circles that co-parenting a dog following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations hinder former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in pet despair, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow surrounding lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for dog videos. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
