It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements hinder ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think flurries clinging to lush pines as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
