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This is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements hinder former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.

Not to downplay the inner life of animals – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup holds water remains debatable at best.

Predictable Foundations

Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries surrounding green trees as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.

The Canine Charisma

Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Human Element

The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)

Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.

• Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.