This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations prevent former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think flurries piled on lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
