This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot proves 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 therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think fake snow piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since Merv is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
