It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations prevent ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think flurries piled on verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
