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It is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.

Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation works effectively remains rather doubtful.

A Familiar Formula

Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries surrounding lush pines as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.

The Dog's Domain

How these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.

The Two-Legged Cast

The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character seems a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)

The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.

• Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.