This is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups hinder individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup holds water remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
