This is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups impede ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in pet despair, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow surrounding green trees as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since the dog is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
