It is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
