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This is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.

Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in pet despair, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable remains debatable at best.

A Familiar Formula

Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on 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 Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow piled on verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.

The Canine Charisma

If these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.

Where It Wobbles

The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)

Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's hardly a great one either.

• Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.