This is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups impede individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict holds water seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think flurries piled on lush pines as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split would feel more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
