This is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations impede ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively seems a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow surrounding lush pines as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character seems a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
