This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations hinder individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries piled on green trees as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm 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 seems a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation would feel more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
