This is a common warning in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups impede ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in pet despair, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
