This is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations impede individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
