This is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups hinder ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think flurries surrounding lush pines as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
