This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups hinder individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The plot proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
