It is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a pet following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups impede individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The plot proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
