This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups impede ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think flurries surrounding lush pines as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since Merv is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
