It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements hinder individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider another performance. It seems certain 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 life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. The plot unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries clinging to lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
