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It is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.

Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation works effectively remains debatable at best.

Predictable Foundations

Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.

The Canine Charisma

How these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for dog videos. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.

The Two-Legged Cast

Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)

Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.

• Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.