It is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of animals – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively seems a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
