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It is a common warning in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations impede ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.

Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable is debatable at best.

Predictable Foundations

Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think flurries piled on lush pines as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.

The Canine Charisma

Whether these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.

The Two-Legged Cast

This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, 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. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)

The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.

• Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.