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This is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups hinder former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.

While respecting the inner life of dogs – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation holds water is rather doubtful.

Predictable Foundations

Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think flurries piled on lush pines as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.

Where the Film Shines

How these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Two-Legged Cast

This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)

The story strives to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split might seem more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.

• Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.