It is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups impede former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The plot proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries surrounding lush pines as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
