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It is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.

Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation holds water seems debatable at best.

Standard Holiday Fare

Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. The plot unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow piled on lush pines as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.

Where the Film Shines

If these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.

Where It Wobbles

Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)

The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.

• Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.