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It is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations prevent former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.

While respecting the mental health of animals – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup holds water is rather doubtful.

A Familiar Formula

To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.

The Canine Charisma

How these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Two-Legged Cast

The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)

Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.

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