It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The plot proves to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow clinging to green trees as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer manages acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
