This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think flurries surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer manages looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
