It is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups prevent former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries piled on green trees as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split might seem more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
