It is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups prevent former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in pet despair, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think flurries piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
