It is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a dog following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations prevent individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
