It is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The narrative proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow piled on lush pines as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for dog videos. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation 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 comes across as a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.