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It is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations prevent individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.

Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water is a questionable prospect.

Standard Holiday Fare

To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.

The Dog's Domain

Whether these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for pet content. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.

The Two-Legged Cast

Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)

Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a great one either.

• Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.