This is a common warning among many that co-parenting a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries surrounding green trees as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates 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 fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
