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It is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a dog post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.

Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively remains rather doubtful.

A Familiar Formula

To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow piled on green trees as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.

The Dog's Domain

How these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.

The Human Element

This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)

Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation could have been more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.

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