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It is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations impede former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.

Without minimizing the mental health of animals – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively is debatable at best.

A Familiar Formula

Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.

Where the Film Shines

How these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Human Element

This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)

Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.

• Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.