🔗 Share this article

It is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations prevent ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.

While respecting the mental health of animals – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water seems rather doubtful.

Predictable Foundations

To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think flurries clinging to green trees as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.

The Dog's Domain

How these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Two-Legged Cast

Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)

The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – but it's not exactly a great one either.

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