It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations impede former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The narrative proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
