It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations hinder ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself manages acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the title character is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation might seem more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
