This is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups prevent ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk 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 realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow piled on green trees as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
