This is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since the dog is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split could have been more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
