This is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think flurries piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since Merv is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
