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It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups prevent individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.

While respecting the inner life of dogs – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.

Standard Holiday Fare

Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.

Where the Film Shines

Whether these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.

The Human Element

This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)

The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a great one either.

• Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.