Merv Review – A Canine Star Commands the Spotlight in Amazon’s By-the-Book Holiday Romance

This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.

Not to downplay the mental health of animals – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable seems rather doubtful.

Standard Holiday Fare

To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.

Where the Film Shines

Whether these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.

The Human Element

The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)

Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's not exactly a great one either.

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