It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The plot unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
