It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements impede former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow piled on green trees as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since the dog is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split would feel more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
