It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups prevent individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
