It is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations impede individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in pet despair, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since Merv is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
