It is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups hinder former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. Its storyline unfolds as 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, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable depends on the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
