This is a widely held belief in certain circles 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, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on green trees as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
