This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in dog sorrow, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think flurries surrounding lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for pet content. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
