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It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups prevent individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.

Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.

A Familiar Formula

Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.

The Canine Charisma

How these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.

The Two-Legged Cast

The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)

Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.

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