It is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by 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 remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since Merv is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
