This is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups impede former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since Merv is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
