This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for dog videos. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
