It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations hinder ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think flurries piled on verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for dog videos. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
