It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups prevent former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in pet despair, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think fake snow piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation might seem more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.