It is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups impede former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects piled on green trees as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
