It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations prevent individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer manages looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since the dog is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
