🔗 Share this article

This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations hinder individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.

Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable remains debatable at best.

A Familiar Formula

To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow clinging to lush pines as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.

Where the Film Shines

Whether these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.

The Human Element

Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character seems a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)

The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.

• Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.