🔗 Share this article

This is a common warning among many that sharing custody a dog post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.

Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.

Predictable Foundations

Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on green trees as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.

The Dog's Domain

Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.

The Two-Legged Cast

Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)

The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.

• Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.