It is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements impede ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow surrounding lush pines as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer manages acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the dog is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
