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This is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.

While respecting the inner life of our pets – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable is rather doubtful.

Standard Holiday Fare

Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.

The Canine Charisma

Whether these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for pet content. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.

The Human Element

The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)

The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split would feel more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – but it's not exactly a great one either.

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