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It is a common warning in certain circles that co-parenting a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups impede individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.

Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in pet despair, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable seems rather doubtful.

Predictable Foundations

Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The plot proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.

The Canine Charisma

Whether these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.

The Human Element

The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)

The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.

• Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.