It is a common warning in certain circles that co-parenting a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations hinder former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
