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It is a common warning among many that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups hinder individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.

Without minimizing the mental health of animals – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable is a questionable prospect.

Predictable Foundations

Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.

The Canine Charisma

Whether these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.

Where It Wobbles

The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)

The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a great one either.

• Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.