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It is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups impede ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.

While respecting the mental health of animals – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively remains a questionable prospect.

Standard Holiday Fare

To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.

The Canine Charisma

Whether these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Human Element

Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)

Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a great one either.

• Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.