It is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations hinder ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries surrounding lush pines as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself manages looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
