🔗 Share this article

It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups prevent ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.

Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively is a questionable prospect.

Predictable Foundations

Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.

The Canine Charisma

Whether these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.

Where It Wobbles

Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)

The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's not exactly a great one either.

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