It is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations hinder ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since the dog is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split would feel more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
