🔗 Share this article

It is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups hinder individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.

Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in pet despair, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict holds water is debatable at best.

Standard Holiday Fare

Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries piled on verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.

Where the Film Shines

If these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.

The Two-Legged Cast

This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)

Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.

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