This is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups impede ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects piled on green trees as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since Merv is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.