This is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations prevent former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think fake snow surrounding lush pines as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
