It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.