It is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations impede ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow surrounding green trees as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.