It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations impede ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable is rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects piled on green trees as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
