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It is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.

While respecting the mental health of animals – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in pet despair, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively seems debatable at best.

Predictable Foundations

Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects piled on green trees as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.

The Dog's Domain

Whether these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Two-Legged Cast

The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)

The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.

• Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.