This is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups prevent ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
