It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation works effectively is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries surrounding green trees as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation would feel more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
