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This is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.

While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup holds water remains a questionable prospect.

A Familiar Formula

Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.

The Dog's Domain

How these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Human Element

Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)

Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.

• Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.