This is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups hinder ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries clinging to green trees as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
