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This is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations impede former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.

Not to downplay the mental health of animals – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively is rather doubtful.

Standard Holiday Fare

Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.

The Dog's Domain

If these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for pet content. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Human Element

The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)

The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a great one either.

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