This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: 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, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think fake snow piled on green trees as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the dog is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
