This is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations impede individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow piled on lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
