This is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
