It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. The plot proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
