It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups hinder former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think flurries clinging to lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable depends on the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
