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This is a common warning among many that co-parenting a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations hinder individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.

Not to downplay the mental health of animals – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water remains debatable at best.

Predictable Foundations

To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The narrative proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.

The Canine Charisma

Whether these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.

Where It Wobbles

The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)

The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.

• Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.