This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation would feel more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
