This is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries piled on lush pines as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
