It is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations prevent former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think flurries surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation might seem more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
