It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think flurries piled on lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
