🔗 Share this article

This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.

While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation works effectively remains rather doubtful.

A Familiar Formula

To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – serve as 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 flurries clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.

The Dog's Domain

Whether these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.

The Human Element

The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)

Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a great one either.

• Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.