🔗 Share this article

It is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.

While respecting the inner life of animals – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water remains debatable at best.

Standard Holiday Fare

Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.

Where the Film Shines

Whether these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for dog videos. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.

The Two-Legged Cast

The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)

The story strives to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a great one either.

• Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.