It is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
