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It is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.

While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable is rather doubtful.

Standard Holiday Fare

Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The plot proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.

The Canine Charisma

How these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Human Element

Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)

The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.

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