This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow piled on green trees as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
