This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups prevent former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in dog sorrow, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries clinging to green trees as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
