It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations prevent former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of 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 remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
