🔗 Share this article

It is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.

Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water seems debatable at best.

Standard Holiday Fare

Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. The plot proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.

The Canine Charisma

If these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.

The Two-Legged Cast

Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)

The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.

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