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This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups prevent individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.

Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in pet despair, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water remains a questionable prospect.

A Familiar Formula

Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow surrounding green trees as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.

The Canine Charisma

If these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.

The Two-Legged Cast

Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)

The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since Merv is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.

• Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.