It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups impede individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think flurries piled on lush pines as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
