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This is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a dog following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups hinder former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.

Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable remains debatable at best.

A Familiar Formula

Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.

Where the Film Shines

If these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Two-Legged Cast

The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)

The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's not exactly a great one either.

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