It is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations prevent ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take 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 quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries clinging to green trees as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry 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 portrayal seems a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
