This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow piled on green trees as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
