It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life 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 around this situation holds water remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
