This is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups prevent former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since the dog is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
