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It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.

Without minimizing the mental health of animals – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable seems rather doubtful.

Predictable Foundations

Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries clinging to green trees as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.

Where the Film Shines

If these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Human Element

The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)

Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a great one either.

• Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.