It is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups impede ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot proves to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow surrounding green trees as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
