This is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. The narrative proves to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries piled on lush pines as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
