This is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups impede individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, 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 emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in pet despair, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow piled on green trees as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
