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It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a dog following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.

Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively remains debatable at best.

A Familiar Formula

To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. The narrative proves to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.

The Dog's Domain

Whether these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Two-Legged Cast

Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)

The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a great one either.

• Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.