This is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a pet following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think fake snow clinging to lush pines as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since the dog is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
