This is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness 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 – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split might seem more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
