It is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations impede former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
