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It is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups prevent ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.

Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation works effectively is a questionable prospect.

Predictable Foundations

Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The plot proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.

The Canine Charisma

Whether these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Human Element

Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)

The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.

• Merv streams on Prime Video this December.