Merv Review – A Four-Legged Actor Commands the Show in Amazon’s Formulaic Holiday Romance

It is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations hinder ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.

Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in pet despair, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water is a questionable prospect.

A Familiar Formula

To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring 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 clearly manufactured – think flurries piled on green trees as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.

The Dog's Domain

How these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Human Element

The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)

The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.

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