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It is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.

Not to downplay the mental health of animals – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively seems rather doubtful.

A Familiar Formula

Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow clinging to lush pines as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.

The Canine Charisma

How these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Two-Legged Cast

The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)

Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.

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