This is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements prevent ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries piled on green trees as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
