🔗 Share this article

This is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements hinder former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.

Without minimizing the inner life of animals – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable seems debatable at best.

A Familiar Formula

Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.

Where the Film Shines

Whether these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.

The Two-Legged Cast

This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)

The story strives to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.

• Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.