It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations hinder individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in dog sorrow, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – serve as 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 visibly contrived – think flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
