This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow surrounding lush pines as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
