It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations hinder individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think fake snow clinging to lush pines as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
