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It is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a dog post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.

While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable is a questionable prospect.

Standard Holiday Fare

Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The narrative proves to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think fake snow piled on green trees as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.

The Dog's Domain

Whether these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.

The Human Element

The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)

The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.

• Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.