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This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.

While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water seems rather doubtful.

Standard Holiday Fare

To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow clinging to lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.

The Dog's Domain

How these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.

Where It Wobbles

The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)

The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a great one either.

• Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.