It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups hinder individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in pet despair, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot proves to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow piled on lush pines as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since Merv is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
