Merv Review – A Canine Star Commands the Spotlight in Amazon’s Formulaic Christmas Romcom

This is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups impede individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.

Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named 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.

A Familiar Formula

To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.

The Canine Charisma

How these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.

The Two-Legged Cast

This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)

The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since the dog is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.

• Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.