This is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups hinder individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is undoubtedly the best part 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 more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
