It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water is rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. The plot proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow clinging to lush pines as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
