It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow piled on lush pines as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
