It is a common warning among many that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations prevent former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation would feel more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
