It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries piled on lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
