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It is a common warning among many that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups impede former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.

Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation works effectively is debatable at best.

Standard Holiday Fare

Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.

The Canine Charisma

If these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Two-Legged Cast

This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)

The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.

• Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.