It is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements hinder individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries clinging to lush pines as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
