This is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for pet content. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
