🔗 Share this article

It is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.

Without minimizing the mental health of animals – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively remains rather doubtful.

Predictable Foundations

To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.

The Canine Charisma

Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.

Where It Wobbles

Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)

Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.

• Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.