This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups impede former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The plot proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, 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 regrettable choice, considering Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation might seem more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.