It is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow surrounding lush pines as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for the split would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
