It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – but I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
