🔗 Share this article

It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups impede individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.

Without minimizing the mental health of animals – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup holds water is a questionable prospect.

Predictable Foundations

Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.

Where the Film Shines

Whether these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.

Where It Wobbles

Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)

The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.

• Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.