🔗 Share this article

It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups prevent individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.

While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.

Standard Holiday Fare

Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. The narrative proves to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.

The Dog's Domain

Whether these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.

The Two-Legged Cast

Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)

The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation might seem more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.

• Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.