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It is a common warning in certain circles that co-parenting a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.

While respecting the inner life of our pets – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable seems rather doubtful.

Predictable Foundations

Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.

The Dog's Domain

How these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.

Where It Wobbles

The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)

Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's not exactly a great one either.

• Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.