It is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements prevent individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think flurries piled on verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
