🔗 Share this article

This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.

Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water seems debatable at best.

Standard Holiday Fare

Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.

Where the Film Shines

How these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.

The Two-Legged Cast

Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer 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 couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split could have been more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a great one either.

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