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It is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.

Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively is a questionable prospect.

Standard Holiday Fare

Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries piled on lush pines as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.

Where the Film Shines

How these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for dog videos. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.

The Two-Legged Cast

Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)

The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.

• Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.