It is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations hinder ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip 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 Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
