It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations prevent individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
