It is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
