Merv Review – A Canine Star Commands the Show in the Streaming Giant’s Formulaic Holiday Romance

This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.

Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation holds water is rather doubtful.

Standard Holiday Fare

To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries surrounding green trees as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.

Where the Film Shines

Whether these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Human Element

The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)

The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.

• Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.