This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries piled on lush pines as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, 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 required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
