It is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The plot unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since the dog is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
