This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water is rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow surrounding green trees as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
