This is a common warning among many that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of animals – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for dog videos. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation might seem more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
