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This is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.

Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable remains rather doubtful.

Predictable Foundations

Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The plot unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only 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 belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow surrounding lush pines as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.

Where the Film Shines

Whether these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Two-Legged Cast

The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)

Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.

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