It is a common warning in certain circles that co-parenting a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations hinder individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively seems a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on green trees as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
