It is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a pet following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. 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 succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since Merv is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
