It is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups hinder former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. The plot proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
