It is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides 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 be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
