It is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups prevent ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think flurries surrounding lush pines as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split could have been more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
