This is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements hinder former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in pet despair, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow piled on lush pines as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for dog videos. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split would feel more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
