This is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since the dog is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
