It is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a dog following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements prevent former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of animals – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think flurries surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split could have been more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
