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It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups impede individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.

While respecting the mental health of dogs – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable seems rather doubtful.

Standard Holiday Fare

Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow clinging to green trees as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.

The Canine Charisma

How these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw 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, pure puppy happiness.

The Two-Legged Cast

The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)

Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation might seem more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.

• Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.