This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups impede ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
