This is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups prevent ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The plot proves to be 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 therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation might seem more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
