This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think flurries piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation might seem more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
