This is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations impede former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think fake snow piled on lush pines as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since Merv is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
