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This is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations hinder ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.

Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water is rather doubtful.

Predictable Foundations

Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.

Where the Film Shines

How these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.

Where It Wobbles

Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)

Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's hardly a great one either.

• Merv streams on Prime Video this December.