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This is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.

Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, 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 full holiday film around this situation works effectively seems rather doubtful.

Predictable Foundations

Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think flurries clinging to green trees as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.

Where the Film Shines

If these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.

The Two-Legged Cast

Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)

Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation could have been more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.

• Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.