It is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations impede former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for pet content. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
