🔗 Share this article

It is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.

While respecting the inner life of our pets – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively is debatable at best.

A Familiar Formula

To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow surrounding lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.

The Canine Charisma

How these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.

The Two-Legged Cast

The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)

The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a great one either.

• Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.