This is a common warning in certain circles that co-parenting a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played 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 works effectively is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
