This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups impede individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The plot proves to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
