This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations hinder ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think fake snow surrounding green trees as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
