🔗 Share this article

This is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements prevent ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.

Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water seems rather doubtful.

Predictable Foundations

Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think flurries piled on lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.

Where the Film Shines

Whether these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for dog videos. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.

The Human Element

This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)

Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since the title character is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.

• Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.