It is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring 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 visibly contrived – think flurries surrounding lush pines as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since the dog is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
