🔗 Share this article

It is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements hinder individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.

Without minimizing the mental health of animals – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in pet despair, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable seems rather doubtful.

Standard Holiday Fare

Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries surrounding lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.

The Dog's Domain

If these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.

Where It Wobbles

This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, 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, since the dog is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a great one either.

• Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.