🔗 Share this article

It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups impede ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.

Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water is debatable at best.

Predictable Foundations

To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think flurries piled on green trees as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.

Where the Film Shines

Whether these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.

The Human Element

Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)

The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation could have been more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.

• Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.