A new film starring Zooey Deschanel and Charlie Cox presents a familiar yet uninspired narrative about love and companionship through the eyes of a loyal canine. Titled “Merv,” the movie, directed by Jessica Swale, explores the emotional turmoil experienced by a dog named Merv when his owners, Anna and Russ, decide to split up. While the premise has potential, it falters in execution, resulting in a lackluster viewing experience.
The plot revolves around the dilemma faced by Anna and Russ after their breakup: should they stay together for the sake of their beloved dog Merv? The film’s setup, although endearing, quickly reveals itself as deficient in substance. Merv, a charming terrier portrayed by Gus, finds himself alternating weeks between both owners, but rather than adapting to this arrangement, he develops evident signs of depression, longing for his parents to reconcile.
Anna and Russ are depicted as caring individuals—she works as an optometrist while he is an elementary school teacher. Their shared custody of Merv leads to frequent interactions, making the process of moving on increasingly difficult. Supporting characters, played by Chris Redd and Jasmine Mathews, serve merely as emotional support, lacking depth and purpose beyond their role as confidants for the struggling couple.
Although a couple’s bond through their pet is a well-trodden theme in cinematic storytelling, “Merv” struggles to resonate. It shares the fundamental premise of the classic 1937 screwball comedy “The Awful Truth,” where a divorced couple fights over their dog as a comical portrayal of their unresolved feelings for each other. However, “Merv” missed opportunities to infuse humor and spontaneity into its narrative. Instead of embracing the potential for whimsical moments and character-driven shenanigans, the film remains grounded and predictable.
As the story unfolds, the lack of chemistry between Deschanel and Cox becomes increasingly apparent. The viewer is kept in the dark regarding the reasons behind their breakup until the film’s climactic moments, providing little context or understanding of the bond that once connected them. Their interactions carry an air of mutual indifference rather than any deep emotional connection, rendering the stakes notably low. The dynamic fails to evoke the intense emotions and relationships seen in earlier works like “The Awful Truth,” leaving audiences uninspired.
While “Merv” aims for heartwarming sentiments, it ultimately delivers a lukewarm experience. The film may tug at the heartstrings in theory, but the execution falls flat, leaving a sense of what could have been. The storyline grapples with relatable themes but misses the mark in fostering authentic connections between its characters, contributing to a disappointing cinematic endeavor.
