It is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements impede individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend 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 simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments 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 romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
