It is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups hinder former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow surrounding green trees as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for pet content. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for the split could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
