This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think fake snow piled on green trees as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the dog is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
