🔗 Share this article

This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.

Without minimizing the mental health of animals – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water seems rather doubtful.

Predictable Foundations

Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.

The Canine Charisma

If these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.

The Two-Legged Cast

This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)

The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a great one either.

• Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.