This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The plot proves to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow clinging to green trees as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – but I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
