This is a common warning among many that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of animals – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow surrounding lush pines as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for dog videos. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation might seem more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
