This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character seems a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
