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It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.

Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup holds water seems rather doubtful.

Predictable Foundations

Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects piled on green trees as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.

The Dog's Domain

If these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.

The Two-Legged Cast

The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)

Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since Merv is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's not exactly a great one either.

• Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.