It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
