This is a common warning among many that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (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 uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries piled on green trees as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
