This is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups hinder individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow piled on green trees as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
