It is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow surrounding green trees as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work 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 wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation could have been more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
