It is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in pet despair, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow clinging to green trees as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
