It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations hinder former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in pet despair, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The plot proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries piled on green trees as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. 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 click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
