It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow clinging to lush pines as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
