This is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups hinder ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of animals – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think flurries clinging to green trees as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
