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This is a common warning among many that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations prevent former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.

While respecting the mental health of animals – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively is a questionable prospect.

Predictable Foundations

Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow clinging to green trees as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.

The Canine Charisma

Whether these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.

The Human Element

Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)

The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since Merv is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.

• Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.