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This is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.

While respecting the mental health of animals – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively remains rather doubtful.

A Familiar Formula

Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on green trees as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.

Where the Film Shines

Whether these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Two-Legged Cast

The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)

The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.

• Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.