It is a common warning in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations hinder individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. The plot proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries clinging to green trees as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since Merv is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
