It is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in pet despair, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think flurries clinging to green trees as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the title character is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
