It is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations impede ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think flurries surrounding lush pines as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
