This is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements hinder former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
