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It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.

Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water remains debatable at best.

A Familiar Formula

Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think flurries piled on lush pines as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.

The Canine Charisma

How these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.

The Human Element

The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)

The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.

• Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.