🔗 Share this article

This is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups prevent ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.

Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water seems rather doubtful.

Standard Holiday Fare

Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think flurries surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.

The Canine Charisma

How these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for pet content. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.

Where It Wobbles

The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)

The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.

• Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.