It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations impede ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow surrounding lush pines as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
