Film Analysis of Merv – A Canine Star Dominates the Show in the Streaming Giant’s By-the-Book Christmas Romcom

This is a common warning among many that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations hinder individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.

While respecting the mental health of dogs – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water remains rather doubtful.

A Familiar Formula

To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow clinging to green trees as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.

Where the Film Shines

If these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.

The Human Element

This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)

The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.

• Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.