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This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a dog following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations impede individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.

Without minimizing the mental health of animals – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in pet despair, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable remains debatable at best.

Predictable Foundations

Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.

The Dog's Domain

Whether these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.

The Two-Legged Cast

Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)

The story strives to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.

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