🔗 Share this article

It is a common warning in certain circles that co-parenting a pet post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.

Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable remains debatable at best.

Predictable Foundations

To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries piled on green trees as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.

Where the Film Shines

If these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for dog videos. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.

The Two-Legged Cast

Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)

The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.

• Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.