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This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.

While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water seems a questionable prospect.

A Familiar Formula

To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.

The Dog's Domain

How these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Two-Legged Cast

The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)

Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation might seem more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.

• Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.