🔗 Share this article

This is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations prevent ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.

Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable is a questionable prospect.

A Familiar Formula

To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries surrounding green trees as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.

The Canine Charisma

Whether these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.

The Human Element

This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)

The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.

• Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.