This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups hinder individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable depends on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
