It is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think flurries piled on lush pines as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
