This is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups impede former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the title character is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
