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This is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups impede individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.

Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation works effectively is a questionable prospect.

Standard Holiday Fare

Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The plot unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.

Where the Film Shines

How these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Two-Legged Cast

Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)

The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.

• Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.