🔗 Share this article

It is a common warning in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups hinder former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.

While respecting the mental health of animals – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict holds water is debatable at best.

Predictable Foundations

Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.

The Canine Charisma

How these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.

The Two-Legged Cast

This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)

Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's not exactly a great one either.

• Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.