This is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries surrounding green trees as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
