It is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups prevent ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think flurries piled on green trees as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
