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

This is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations hinder former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.

While respecting the mental health of dogs – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.

Standard Holiday Fare

Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.

Where the Film Shines

How these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.

Where It Wobbles

The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)

Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.

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