It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think fake snow clinging to green trees as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
