It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups impede former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation would feel more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
