This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a dog following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations hinder individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
