🔗 Share this article

This is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements impede ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.

Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively seems rather doubtful.

A Familiar Formula

Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. 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 – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.

The Canine Charisma

Whether these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Two-Legged Cast

The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)

The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.

• Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.