This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups hinder individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow clinging to green trees as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since Merv is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
