It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups impede former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The plot unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
