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It is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.

Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup holds water seems debatable at best.

A Familiar Formula

Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. The plot proves to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.

The Dog's Domain

Whether these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.

Where It Wobbles

Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)

The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.

• Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.