🔗 Share this article

This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a dog following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.

While respecting the mental health of dogs – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively remains rather doubtful.

Predictable Foundations

Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is matched 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 should reunite. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow piled on lush pines as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.

Where the Film Shines

Whether these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.

Where It Wobbles

The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)

The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.

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