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This is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups impede former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.

While respecting the mental health of our pets – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water seems rather doubtful.

Standard Holiday Fare

To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.

The Dog's Domain

How these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for dog videos. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.

The Two-Legged Cast

This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)

Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's not exactly a great one either.

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