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This is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements prevent former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.

While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable seems rather doubtful.

A Familiar Formula

To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.

The Canine Charisma

If these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.

The Two-Legged Cast

The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)

The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a great one either.

• Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.