This is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups impede individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
