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It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups impede individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.

Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water remains a questionable prospect.

A Familiar Formula

To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.

Where the Film Shines

If these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.

The Two-Legged Cast

Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)

The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's hardly a great one either.

• Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.