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This is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups prevent former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.

Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict holds water remains debatable at best.

Predictable Foundations

Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.

The Dog's Domain

Whether these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Two-Legged Cast

The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)

Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation could have been more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.

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