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It is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups hinder individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.

While respecting the mental health of dogs – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable seems rather doubtful.

Standard Holiday Fare

To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow clinging to lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.

The Canine Charisma

If these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.

The Human Element

The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)

The story strives to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the dog is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.

• Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.