🔗 Share this article

This is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups impede individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.

While respecting the inner life of animals – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively is debatable at best.

Predictable Foundations

Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is matched 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 are better together. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow piled on green trees as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.

The Canine Charisma

If these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.

Where It Wobbles

The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)

The story strives to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since the dog is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's hardly a great one either.

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