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This is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups prevent former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.

Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in pet despair, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict holds water is a questionable prospect.

Predictable Foundations

Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow piled on lush pines as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.

Where the Film Shines

If these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Two-Legged Cast

The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers 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 seems a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)

Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.

• Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.