This is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements impede former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think fake snow clinging to green trees as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
