It is a common warning among many that co-parenting a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements prevent former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in pet despair, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since the title character is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
