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This is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups impede former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.

While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup holds water is debatable at best.

Predictable Foundations

To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.

The Dog's Domain

How these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.

Where It Wobbles

The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)

The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.

• Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.