It is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups impede former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
