🔗 Share this article

It is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations prevent individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.

Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water remains rather doubtful.

Standard Holiday Fare

Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.

The Canine Charisma

How these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.

The Two-Legged Cast

The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)

The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.

• Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.