Merv Review – A Canine Star Steals the Spotlight in the Streaming Giant’s By-the-Book Holiday Romance

This is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements prevent ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.

Without minimizing the inner life of animals – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in pet despair, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively is debatable at best.

Predictable Foundations

Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries piled on green trees as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.

The Dog's Domain

Whether these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.

Where It Wobbles

This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)

The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.

• Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.