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This is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.

While respecting the inner life of animals – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively is a questionable prospect.

A Familiar Formula

To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow piled on green trees as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.

Where the Film Shines

If these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.

The Two-Legged Cast

This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)

Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since the title character is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation might seem more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.

• Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.