It is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements impede ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The plot unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think flurries clinging to green trees as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
