This is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups impede ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries clinging to lush pines as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
