This is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements hinder individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water is rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries surrounding lush pines as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
