It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups hinder ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of animals – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict holds water is rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow surrounding green trees as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
