It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations impede former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries clinging to green trees as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
