It is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a pet following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups hinder former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow piled on green trees as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel 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 the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the dog is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
