It is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think fake snow piled on green trees as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation could have been more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
