This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character seems a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
