This is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements prevent former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable is rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think fake snow clinging to green trees as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
